Page:The guilt of William Hohenzollern.djvu/242

238 the King himself, who, in a letter on August 3rd, informed the Kaiser that the Italian Government did not recognize a casus fcederis in the war which had just broken out. The letter was signed: "Thy Brother and Allly, ""

To "Ally" William added "Impudence," and to the name of the King the small but very expressive word "Rascal." On August 3rd, then, even the most frivolous and ignorant of optimists could no longer reckon on Italy's active assistance. Victor Emanuel's concluding remarks even left it to be feared that Italy might take an active part against Austria and Germany. England's attitude was therefore bound to have the greatest influence on Italy, as she depended on her in so many things.

This was a further consideration which ought to induce them not to irritate England by the occupation of Belgium. There was, in addition, the consideration that by this occupation Germany's prestige must suffer enormously in the eyes of the whole world. For Belgium's neutrality was not of the usual kind, like, for example, that of Greece. It was solemnly documented, and Prussia was one of the Powers guaranteeing it. With her invasion of Belgium she was committing not only a breach of neutrality but also of faith.

The greater the confidence that has been placed in one who gives his word, the greater is the fury against him and the contempt for him if he breaks it. Up to August, 1914, the majority of Belgians trusted Germany and were friendly towards her. After the invasion they became her most furious foes.

But not only in Belgium was the deepest indignation